On January 17-22, a large joint military exercise was held in the south of Okinawa Island of Japan—and with the participation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy, the Japan Self-Defense Forces announced on Sunday, TASS reported.

Ten US naval ships, including nuclear aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, took part in these exercises. The Japanese side was represented by a Hyuga-class helicopter carrier.

According to the Japanese NHK television, the military exercises were aimed at emphasizing the unity of Japanese and US actions in the region amid the growing Chinese activity at sea.